3 Tips for Discovering Yourself in College

College is the time to discover you and find your place before you actually enter the real world. In high school you more than likely have an idea of what you like, what your passions are and things that make you yourself. Even though you think you have yourself figured out, college is a journey which will cause you to change. You will experience things that shape who you are and help you grow towards exactly whom you will be after college.

Your major doesn’t define your personality

From personal experience, my freshman year of college caused me to develop into a different person. It is difficult to be immersed into a whole different experience while figuring out what you want to do and study for the next few years of your life. My identity problem in college started with hating the major I chose to study. I thought being in the medical field was what I wanted to do and would create the best future for me.

A month into the year I realized I was struggling with the classes and did not want to go to my classes. It was not what I thought it was going to be and I became worried about what to do since that was the only major I thought would work for me. I didn’t know how to react because I was supposed to be in the medical field and succeed in college.

I felt like the identity I wanted to create in college was slipping away and becoming difficult to achieve. Once you’re at college and taking classes you may want to switch your major also. It’s perfectly normal to do this and exploring different things that you have a passion for is okay and could lead to the perfect decision in a major. I wish I would have known that when I was a freshman because I felt like there was not another major I could do without losing whom I wanted to be. I researched different degrees and programs on my university’s website based on other things I was interested in.

I stumbled upon an English degree and figured I needed to give it more thought since I always loved writing and literature. I spoke to advisers and once I knew it sounded like something I would want to do, I made the jump and switched to an English major. And I have been happy in my major for three years now and feel like I found what works for me and I have discovered myself through it. If I wouldn’t have had my little identity freak out I might not have found my love and success in my current major and I wouldn’t be the person I am now.

Experimenting with your appearance and interests

Since college is the time to develop you, it may include trying new things. In my freshman year I dyed my hair for the first time and got a few piercings in my ears. I did not do anything crazy but I wanted to experiment with my appearance in hopes of figuring out what my style was and finding more of my identity. After being in college for three years I have learned that you don’t have to try to be anyone you’re not to “fit in” since it does not matter what you wear in college. College is the time to explore and figure out you, but you don’t have to drastically change your interests and appearance just because you feel like you have to.

I recommend trying new things because not only will it help you find things you might like, but also allows you to meet new people that could become your friends. I took classes that I might not have chose originally and they helped me realize what I wanted to focus on with my degree. Experimenting with different classes and clubs helped me figure out more about the person I was becoming.

Find friends to help you grow

Finding friends in college might seem like something that might not be important in discovering yourself, but it is one of the most vital things that happen to you. Friends in college may be your roommate, someone you sit by in class, someone in your major or someone in a club you’re in. The friends you make in college can help you grow and become a better person. They can help you in classes or help you through any problems you may have. Also, most college friends become friends for your life. They will shape you into the person you will become and create experiences that you will always remember and associate with your college years. For me, I met my best friends during the beginning of my second year. I can personally say that they have helped me become the person I am and the person I want to be because of the lessons they have taught me, how they have helped me and all the fun times we have had together. When things get difficult in college, it is helpful to have someone to help and lean on. The best friends you will make will be the ones you found when you figure out more about yourself. For example, if you join a club that you have a passion for, you’ll more than likely meet friends and you’ll all share a common interest. The best friends you’ll have will help you grow and find your place in this world.

College is the time where you will figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life and will help you become the person you will be because of the people you meet and the experiences you have. Even when you have a good idea of your identity it is beneficial to try new things or meet new people because you never know what could happen and it could cause you to add to whom you are.